21 posts from April 2014

Chase Utley leads MLB in a number of categories to begin the season. (Howard Smith/USA TODAY Sports)

Heading into play Monday, Chase Utley leads Major League Baseball in quite a few categories.

He's first in batting average (.500), on-base percentage (.565) and slugging percentage (.875). He's also tied for second in extra-base hits (9) and game-winning RBIs (3) and tied for third in hits (20) and doubles (6). He's also hit safely in all 10 games he's appeared in this season and has a 15-game hitting streak dating back to last year.

While he is impressing everyone around baseball, his teammates and manager aren't surprised by his play.

Kyle Kendrick, the starting pitcher for Sunday's game in which Utley had the game-winning home run in the eighth inning, is trying to stay away from the second baseman, hoping not to disrupt his groove.

"Yeah, he’s pretty good," said Kendrick. "I try not to say much to him. You don’t want to say much to guys like that. Just let them keep playing. It’s pretty impressive."

Tony Gwynn Jr.'s having a pretty good start, a .353 batting average would be good for tops on most teams, but not with Utley on the roster.

So what does Gwynn think of Utley?

"That he was a baller and he continues to be a baller," Gwynn said chuckling. "He’s healthy now and when guys with his talent are healthy, you are seeing what you are going to get. He’s got his legs under him and he’s hitting the ball in the middle of the field, which is where he goes when things are going good from watching from a distance. It’s fun to watch."

Manager Ryne Sandberg probably had the best response when asked about Utley's play. His first comment was, "He'll be in the lineup, that's for sure."

Sandberg continued on to talk about how he also thinks Utley's health may be playing a part in his start.

"I just see him in really good shape, moving really well on the field defensively, running the bases, and staying so active on the bases that maybe that shows how well he's feeling," Sandberg stated. "I think that's just a non-issue. He's just having quality at bats, seeing the ball well. He's one of the guys making pitchers throw strikes to him. But yeah, he's just in a real good zone."

The Phillies, coming off of a sweep of the Miami Marlins, are going to need Utley to stay hot if they want to continue their winning ways this week at Citizens Bank Park. They start a four-game series Monday night against the Atlanta Braves, who just swept the Washington Nationals and have moved into first place in the National League East.

One day after outrighting Brad Lincoln to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Phillies optioned Justin De Fratus to the IronPigs.

De Fratus was credited with a blown save Saturday night after giving up a two-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth inning, which tied the game at four.

Right-hander Luis Garcia, who has thrown 4 2/3 scoreless innings with the IronPigs this season, was called up and will replace De Fratus in the bullpen. The 27-year-old has struckout seven of the 17 batters he's faced and has not allowed a hit.

Revere sits

The Phillies announced Sunday's starting lineup and center fielder Ben Revere will sit for a third straight day with a sore rib.

Tony Gwynn Jr. will once again be roaming center field and will hit in the leadoff spot.

A.J. Burnett left Friday's game with groin soreness and will be re-evaluated Saturday. (Jim Cowsert/USA TODAY Sports File Photo)

The Phillies ended their four-game losing streak Friday night by beating the Miami Marlins, but an injury to their starting pitcher put a damper on things.

A.J. Burnett left the game as a precaution with groin soreness after walking six and giving up two runs. There was one out in the fourth inning when trainer Scott Sheridan visited the mound and Burnett was removed.

Visibly frustrated, Burnett stressed that he just wanted to work through the soreness but eventually had to leave the game.

"I was in battle mode all night," said the right-hander. "You don’t want to come out there. You pick some positives out there to make it better. But you don’t want to come to a new squad, a new team and have something happen like that."

Manager Ryne Sandberg said it's something Burnett has dealt with in the past and he'll be re-evaluated Saturday. Burnett is hoping it's nothing that keeps him from missing a start, but isn't sure.

"It takes a lot to get me off the field," Burnett said. "It was pretty uncomfortable the last inning, but it came on early and went away. That’s why I didn’t feel like it was too serious. Pretty much every pitch out of the stretch, more so out of the windup. The last inning I felt it a lot."

Burnett started off the game strong, commanding his curveball, and needing only eight pitches to get through the first inning. After that, he had control issues, much of which he blamed on the injury.

"We’ve had a couple of mistakes that have cost us games," said Howard. "But in all actuality, we’ve actually played very well this year. I disagree with everyone else. Our record doesn’t reflect that right now, but I think we’ve played well. We’ve had three real bad games. The only thing you can do is go out there and try to win the game."

Howard also talked about his error last Wednesday night, which allowed the go-ahead run to score. He said he was trying to make the play at home and just took his eye off the ball.

Another concern for Howard is receiving the ball at first on a throw. He's missed a few that have skipped to him and he thinks it's just going to take him a little while to get back into the swing of things since he missed so much time last year. Howard explained the most difficult part is reading the bounce when the ball hits the lip between the grass and dirt and he's just trying to keep the ball in front of him at this point.

Amaro on bullpen

Part of the Phillies' woes this year have come from their bullpen and Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged that Friday.

The Phillies announced Jonathan Pettibone will be their starter Saturday against the Miami Marlins and will have to send someone down, likely from their bullpen, to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to make room for him.

Amaro said as of now it really could be anybody and didn't express confidence in the guys he currently has in the bullpen.

"None of the guys have pitched so well that they can’t be considered for a guy to be sent out," stated Amaro. "That’s the bottom line."

The good news for the Phillies? Mike Adams and Ethan Martin are progressing and could help out if the bullpen doesn't turn things around.

Adams will throw for the IronPigs Saturday and Martin is scheduled to throw his first bullpen Friday.

It's looking more likely that Jonathan Pettibone will be back in a Phillies uniform Saturday against the Marlins. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images File Photo)

The Phillies have yet to name their starting pitcher for Saturday's tilt against the Miami Marlins but Ryne Sandberg confirmed it wouldn't be David Buchanan.

Buchanan, one of three candidates for the fifth starting spot until Cole Hamels returns, threw 93 pitches Tuesday night for the IronPigs and won't be on full rest Saturday. It also hurt Buchanan that he's not on the 40-man roster. It's currently full and a spot would need to be made for him.

The two candidates left are Jeff Manship, currently in the bullpen, and Jonathan Pettibone, who is with the IronPigs. Both are on the 40-man roster so neither has an advantage there, but Sandberg said Manship would only be able to go three innings max at this point.

Pettibone would be on full rest, as his scheduled day to pitch for the 'Pigs is Saturday, and unlike Manship, he's stretched out. His only start this season came against Pawtucket on April 6 when he threw five innings giving up three runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two.

So despite no official announcement as of Wednesday afternoon, all signs are pointing to Jonathan Pettibone rejoining the Phillies and starting in Saturday night's game.

Monday's home opener at Citizens Bank Park against the Milwaukee Brewers was pushed off until Tuesday due to the threat of rain, but many of the events originally scheduled will still take place. Most of the festivities are now an hour later than they were scheduled for on Monday.

Check out the lineup below, sent out by the Phillies, if you're planning on attending.

3:13 p.m. - Fans who have not yet entered the ballpark gates are invited to line up on 10th Street and cheer on the 2014 Phillies as they make their “Leadoff Walk” into the ballpark – escorted by the Cardinal O’Hara High School Marching Band.

3:22 p.m. - The 2014 Phillies will make their grand entrance into Citizens Bank Park from the 10th Street Leadoff Walk. Providing the music as the players walk the red carpet will be the Fralinger String Band.

3:34 p.m. - “Philadelphia Pride” and “America the Beautiful” will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale, as members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard unfurl a large American flag. State flags will be carried onto the field by Philadelphia Police and Fire Department personnel.

3:40 p.m. - Brewers player introductions.

3:44 p.m. - Phillies player introductions.

3:50 p.m. - National Anthem. Performed by Jacquie Lee, the Colt’s Neck, NJ native who was runner up on NBC's The Voice.

3:53 p.m. - The United States Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, will parachute onto the field delivering the first balls.

4:00 p.m. - The first ball will be thrown out by a representative from Modell’s Sporting Goods, along with a surprise Phillies alumnus.

4:07 p.m. - Game begins.

The Phillies note that all events are subject to change, weather and wind permitting.

Because of the threat of rain on Monday afternoon, the Phillies proactively postponed their home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers until Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. A built-in off day Tuesday allowed the Phillies the flexibility they needed to change the day of the game.

Tickets for Monday's game will be honored on Tuesday and all gates, including Ashburn Alley, will open at 1:35 p.m. Standing room only tickets will go on sale at noon on Tuesday at the first base ticket windows and the Citizens Bank Way Opening Day Party will now begin at 1:00 p.m.

The game will still be televised on NBC10 and can be heard on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, SportsRadio 94WIP and WTTM 1680AM (Spanish).

After starting their season in Texas and Chicago, the Phillies will finally make their way to Philadelphia for their home opener on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

For those with tickets to the game, you can find the complete schedule of events at Citizens Bank Park here. In case you won't be able to attend because of work, here's the TV lineup sent out by Comcast SportsNet so you can set your DVR box:

Going to Monday's home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers? Then you're going to want to check out this schedule to make sure you don't miss out on any activities the Phillies have planned for the first home game of the 2014 season.

The schedule from the Phillies is as follows:

7:00 a.m. - The Majestic Clubhouse Store opens.

12:00 p.m. - Citizens Bank Way Opening Day Party. Features entertainment, food and drinks. Free to all fans. Live performance by Go Go Gadjet. At this time, the first base tickets windows will begin selling standing room only tickets.

2:13 p.m. - Fans who have not yet entered the ballpark gates are invited to line up on 10th Street and cheer on the 2014 Phillies as they make their “Leadoff Walk” into the ballpark – escorted by the Cardinal O’Hara High School Marching Band.

2:22 p.m. - The 2014 Phillies will make their grand entrance into Citizens Bank Park from the 10th Street Leadoff Walk. Providing the music as the players walk the red carpet will be the Fralinger String Band.

2:34 p.m. - “Philadelphia Pride” and “America the Beautiful” will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale, as members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard unfurl a large American flag. State flags will be carried onto the field by Philadelphia Police and Fire Department personnel.

2:40 p.m. - Brewers player introductions.

2:44 p.m. - Phillies player introductions.

2:50 p.m. - National Anthem. Performed by Jacquie Lee, the Colt’s Neck, NJ native who was runner up on NBC's The Voice.

2:53 p.m. - The United States Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, will parachute onto the field delivering the first balls.

3:00 p.m. - The first ball will be thrown out by a representative from Modell’s Sporting Goods, along with a surprise Phillies alumnus.